Tag: justice

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Solemnity of All Saints

Picture from an outdoor mass with John Paul II in Victory Square, Poland, 1979

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Responsorial: Psalm 24:1BC-4AB, 5-6
Reading 2: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12A

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110120.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

All Saints’ Day is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to live as children of God. But before we get to that, let’s just do a little housekeeping, okay?

We don’t worship saints. Period. We worship God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All believers are part of the community of saints. Why do we call some “saints?” Well, it’s definitely not for their benefit. As St. Paul tells us, the saints have already fought the good fight, they’ve run their race, and they kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). And St. Bernard preaching in the 12th century said, “The saints have no need of honor from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them.” <1>

So, calling someone a “saint” is really a church thing. Why? Well, in our society today, we honor all sorts of people, right? We might hold up athletes, or actors and actresses, or successful and innovative businesspeople. We lift them up as inspiration and maybe even role models. How many children have thought to themselves, “I want to be just like him or her when I grow up!”

The Church lifts of people and calls them “saints” as role models for all of us. Some are martyrs for the faith, probably not unlike the three believers brutally murdered outside the Notre-Dame Basilica in Nice, France. Other saints lived lives of heroic virtue. We are all called to be holy. Jesus tells us, “You are therefore to be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). And the Second Vatican Council document, Lumen Gentium, devotes an entire chapter to the “Universal Call to Holiness”. <3> These saints are people who we believe made use of God grace – the same grace available to all of us – to help them in their quest for holiness.

Take for example the mother-physician Gianna Beretta Molla who in 1962 refused a life-saving procedure during her pregnancy that would have resulted in the abortion of her fourth baby. The Church lifts her up as an example of extraordinary faith and love.

Or take Blessed Stanley Rother, a priest from Oklahoma, who was murdered in 1981 in Guatemala. He had been recalled home but asked for permission and in fact returned to Guatemala despite the risks. In a letter to the faithful in Oklahoma, he wrote, “This is one of the reasons I have for staying in the face of physical harm. The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.” <2> He is not just a role model for priests. He is a role model for all of us who are trying to live lives of intentional discipleship or as Pope Francis would say, missionary discipleship.

The lives of the saints and their stories should inspire us and hopefully give us some ideas about how we can live our lives in pursuit of holiness. Okay, this is the background for today’s celebration.

Today’s reading from Revelation paints a picture of heaven and there are people from all over the world dressed in white robes. They are martyrs for the faith. “These are those who come from the great trouble. And they washed their clothes and whitened them in the Lamb’s blood” (Revelation 7:14). In our second reading from First John, we are called “God’s children” (1 John 3:2).

What does it mean to be children of God?

Our Gospel today comes from the Sermon on the Mount which instructs us as disciples, believers, children of God, about justice. But Jesus teaches that justice should not be restricted to a perfunctory level, but he goes to the heart of the matter. We strive to be holy as the Father is holy. <4> And the path of the disciple is not easy. Most of us will never be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice like those three believers murdered in Nice, France this week. But we may face ridicule from our friends and families. We might even lose friendships over our faith. Jesus tells us:

• In a highly polarized world, Jesus wants us to forgive and turn the other cheek.
• In a world that values the symbols of wealth and the latest new “toy”, Jesus wants us to live humbly and to give generously.
• In a world scarred by war and division, Jesus wants us to love our enemies and to work for peace. <5>

All of us disciples are caught in a balancing act between what we need to do in this world to provide for families and the call to holiness. Every saint ever named understands this tug-of-war. Maybe that’s one of the reasons the Church asks us to celebrate “All Saints” today, so that we are inspired by those who have already run the race and who were filled with God’s grace. You see, we are not alone in the struggles we face. Every generation of believers has faced their own time of trial. While we should never stop working for justice, it is reassuring to know that we are united in faith with our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout time.

Homework! Inspired by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions. First, when have I put more trust in this world that in God? Second, how can I live a simpler and more generous life?

I pray our homework will help us live our discipleship with greater conviction. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. Pentecost Mass for 300,000 people celebrated by Pope John Paul II in Victory Square, Poland, 1979. JPG file.

Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

<1> Saint Bernard, abbot, sermon (Sermo 2: Opera omnia, Edit. Cisterc. 5 [1968], 364-368).
<2> Beecroft, Mason (December 16, 2014). “Making the Case for Martyrdom.” This Land. This Land Press. Accessed October 30, 2020. https://thislandpress.com/2014/12/16/making-the-case-for-martyrdom/
<3> See Lumen Gentium, Chapter V, beginning with paragraph 39: https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html.
<4> O’Neil and Black, The Essential Moral Handbook, 127.
<5> “Sunday, November 1 All Saints” the Word Among Us. Web. https://wau.org/meditations/2020/11/01/176958/.

References:
1. Anderson, Kelly and Daniel Keating. James, First, Second, and Third John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2017. Kindle.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.
4. O’Neil, Kevin J. C.Ss.R. and Peter Black, C.Ss.R. The Essential Moral Handbook: A guide to Catholic Living. Liguori, Missouri: Liguori, 2003.
5. Williamson, Peter S. Revelation. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2015. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Seeing God in the beatific vision, 163, 1023, 1028, 2519
2. Heaven, 326
3. Poor in spirit, 544, 2546
4. Church as sacrament of unity of human race, 775
5. Heaven, 769, 1023-29
6. Celebrants of the heavenly liturgy, 1136-39, 2642
7. The new people of God, 1138
8. The seal, 1295-96
9. Revelation that we are children of God, 1692
10. Christian beatitude, 1716-24
11. Peace makers, 2305, 2330
12. Pure in heart, 2518
13. Confidence before God, 2633, 2777-78

Solemnity of All Saints https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110120.cfm
Lectionary: 667

Reading 1
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
I, John, saw another angel come up from the East,
holding the seal of the living God.
He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels
who were given power to damage the land and the sea,
“Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees
until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal,
one hundred and forty-four thousand marked
from every tribe of the children of Israel.

After this I had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
They cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne,
and from the Lamb.”

All the angels stood around the throne
and around the elders and the four living creatures.
They prostrated themselves before the throne,
worshiped God, and exclaimed:
“Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,
honor, power, and might
be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me,
“Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”
I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.”
He said to me,
“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.”

Responsorial
Psalm 24:1BC-2, 3-4AB, 5-6
R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Reading 2
1 John 3:1-3
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.

Alleluia
Matthew 11:28
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12A
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”

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26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of breonna taylor

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28
Responsorial: Psalm 25:4-9
Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 OR 2:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092720.cfm
www.deaconrudysnotes.org

As you heard the readings this weekend, what words struck you?

The readings today are rich with meaning that for many of us, it might be challenging to pick out any one message. For me, there were two lines. The first comes from the first reading from Ezekiel, “You say, ‘The LORD’s way is not fair!’” (Ezekiel 18:25, NAB). And the second line comes from the Gospel, “Jesus said to them, ‘Amen I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God’” (Matthew 21:31).

My brothers and sisters, every weekend, we are being challenged with readings that are trying to shape our discipleship. And this weekend’s readings do not disappoint! In today’s Gospel, we hear the story of two sons. The first son refuses to do what his father asked. He threw a tantrum! In a culture where sons are supposed to honor and obey their fathers, the son’s reaction is offensive. <1> But the son reconsiders and goes out into the vineyard. The second son pays lip service to his dad, saying what his dad wants to hear, but he never goes into the vineyard.

When Jesus asks people which son did his father’s will, it so obvious to everyone – even the chief priests and elders agree. But what Jesus says next shocks them. “Amen, I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 21:31). Whoa! Ezekiel’s words, “The LORD’s way is not fair!” (Ezekiel 18:25, NAB), sound so true! How is it fair that blatant sinners are getting into heaven first?

It’s like we discussed last weekend. We might start out on the same path as God, but at some point, we veer off course. We don’t know it – we might not even want to believe that we’re off course because we are so convinced in how right we are – in the soundness of our thoughts.

Gradually, we equate our way with God’s will, and we might not even realize it, but self-interest begins to creep into our thinking. Can’t we say that at some level, that’s what was operating in the minds of plantation owners in the South when they used Scripture to justify slavery and racism? They violently rejected any interpretation of God’s Revelation in Jesus Christ that challenged their way of life. The threw tantrums!

Perhaps, it’s easy to look back on history and approach it with more clarity then they had at the time. And yet, we too suffer from similar blinders to the events in our own time. That’s the only way I can come to terms with the ugliness of the many Brexit debates or the current presidential campaign in the US. We think we are so right and they are so wrong that we refuse to consider anything else. What tantrums do I throw? Maybe when we come to mass, we pay “lip service to God,” focused only on our vision of God.

Could that be why we didn’t see anything wrong with separating babies from their illegal immigrant parents? Or why we don’t object to efforts to gut access to affordable healthcare? Maybe that’s why some police convinced themselves that it’s ok to cross the line and murder black Americans in custody? Is that why police officers burst into the Breonna Taylor’s apartment and murdered her? I know we don’t have all the facts in her case. Still, I hope and pray there was something substantial to move the grand jury to acquit the police officers who killed Breonna, especially since they returned three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree against one police officer who fired blindly into three of Breonna’s white neighbors’ apartments. Where is the justice? Of course, people are upset because the poison of racism is so entrenched in our culture we can’t help but doubt the impartiality of the grand jury’s work.

Graphic that says be transformed by the eucharist. Jesus emptied himself in service to others. how can i think like Jesus thinks? www.deaconrudysnotes.org

But there is hope. Yes, even in these turbulent political times, there is hope!

St. Paul, in today’s second reading says, now listen to this: If there is any comfort in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any solidarity of the Spirit, if there is any compassion or pity, fill up my joy: [I want] you to think the same, have the same love, and be of one mind, with just a single thought, with no thoughts that are in line with selfish ambition or empty conceit. No – in humility, think of each other as your superiors; don’t be each of you looking to your own [interests]; instead, look to each other’s interest. Let your thinking be what was in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:1-5).

And then Paul gives us the beautiful hymn to Jesus – Jesus took the form of a slave and emptied himself in service to others. What a challenge! My brothers and sisters, we are not called to imitate Jesus mindlessly. We are called to assimilate ourselves into Jesus’ way of thinking. <2> And we can’t do that unless we are willing to consider the possibility that we might not be as right as we think we are. We can’t assimilate ourselves into Jesus’ way of thinking unless we are ready to believe that the person with whom we disagree with is more important than the ideas we are arguing over.

May the Eucharist and the work of the Holy Spirit transform us so that we become stewards of justice in this world!

Homework! Nourished by the Eucharist today and perhaps a little troubled by the Word of God today, I ask you to do the following at least two or three times this week beginning today,

Prayerfully read and reflect on today’s second reading, Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:1-11, and ask yourself what you think God is asking you to do.
Here is one approach you could take:
1. Ask God what he wants you to learn from this reading.
2. Pause for a few seconds.
3. Then read the passage at least once – slowly and deliberately.
4. Pause for a few seconds.
5. Picture a small light in the very center of your body. Now picture it growing slowly. Soon your whole body is in this light. Can you feel the warmth?
6. Resting in God’s presence, think about the words of this Scripture passage. What jumps out at you? Why? What is it God is trying to show you? You may spend as much or a little time as you’d like to do this.
7. As you finish, hear Christ’s words: Go and do likewise.

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit:
Cover: Breonna Taylor: Art by Ariel Sinha (IG: @arielsinhaha). Used with permission.
2nd: Deacon Rudy Villarreal. PNG file.

Notes:
Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
1. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri, The Gospel of Matthew, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010), Kindle, 275.
2. Hamm, Dennis, SJ, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics), 2013. Kindle, “The Best Example of All: Christ’s Self-Emptying Love and Service.”

References:
1. Hamm, Dennis, SJ. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2013. Kindle.
2. Marchionda, James, OP. “Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.” Know Before You Go. 22 September 2020. Accessed 27 September 2020. https://www.opcentral.org/node/3424.
3. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Jesus the Lord, 201, 449
2. The Lordship of Christ, 446-461
3. The Word become flesh, 461
4. Docetism, 465
5. Christ is God and man, 472, 602, 705, 713, 1224, 2812
6. Jesus as our model, 520
7. John the Baptist, 535
8. Parables, 546
9. Life in Christ, 1694, 2842
10. Just person distinguished by habitual rectitude toward others, 1807
11. The obligation of social justice, 1928-30, 2425-26
12. Concern for others, 2635-36
13. Prayer, 2641, 2667
14. “Thy will be done,” 2822-27
15. Only Holy Spirit can give us the mind of Christ, 2842

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092720.cfm
Lectionary: 136

Reading 1
Ezekiel 18:25-28
Thus says the LORD:
You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!”
Hear now, house of Israel:
Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?
When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,
it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.
But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed,
he does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Responsorial
Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (6a) Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not;
in your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Reading 2
Philippians 2:1-11
Brothers and sisters:
If there is any encouragement in Christ,
any solace in love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,
united in heart, thinking one thing.
Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also for those of others.

Have in you the same attitude
that is also in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Alleluia
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 21:28-32
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
He said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir, ‘but did not go.
Which of the two did his father’s will?”
They answered, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

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25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Two one-way street signs pointing in different directions. One says my way and the other says God's way

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9
Responsorial: Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18
Second Reading: Philippians 1:20C-24, 27A
Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16A

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092020.cfm
www.deaconrudysnotes.org

The picture I selected for today is a set of one-way signs which I think reflect our first reading from Isaiah, “…nor like your ways are my ways,” (Isaiah 55:8). One sign points in a direction and reads, “God’s Way,” and the other points in a different direction and reads, “My Way.” This picture is interesting to me for many reasons, but what strikes me most is that the road leading up to this point had room enough for both God’s way and my way. But at this particular intersection, the path splits.

This tells me that people of faith inspired by the Word of God evident in Scriptures and Tradition can very often set out on the correct path. Our work and efforts seem to coincide with God’s will. But at some point on our journey, we take a left turn. Our path splits off from God’s path. But here’s the kicker: we may not realize we took a wrong turn.

How can that be? How can we veer off and not even realize it? While we mean well, somehow our self-righteousness blinds us. What we see God doing doesn’t compute. Take for example when Jesus allows the woman to anoint his feet with precious oil, (John 12:3). Or the time Jesus decided to eat with Zacchaeus – a tax collector and traitor to his people, (Luke 19:1-10). Or the time Jesus said to the crowd, “Let the Sinless One of you be the first to throw a stone at her,” (John 8:7). Or in today’s Gospel passage when the landowner pays a full wage to those who only worked one hour (Matthew 20:10).

The mercy and compassion God reveals to us through Jesus’ actions don’t match the way we might handle the situation. Let’s say we de-identified these Scripture passages and you read them, how would you react then? Would you think the merciful and generous person was a fool?

Even though we might mean well, our path veers away from God’s path because sin enters our thoughts and actions. Much like the laborers in today’s Gospel passage, we might think to ourselves, “it’s not fair!” Or worse yet, inspired by our self-righteousness, we might advocate for laws that discriminate or harm not because we want to be evil, but because we genuinely think we are right.

What are some examples of this today?

Well, take for example law breakers. We as a society have a right to enforce our laws. But how we do that as a Christian people is important. Our faith teaches that we should respect the dignity of the human person. So, we advocate for life over and against a culture of death. Yet, some people think it was a good idea in the United States to separate the children of illegal immigrants from their parents and to place them in what amounts to cages.

Should illegal immigrants be detained? Look, every nation has the right to define and to defend its borders and to implement policies to managing illegal immigrants. But to treat people inhumanly – that’s where our path veers off from God’s path.

Or take for example a government sponsored program to help senior citizens, like social security. For some, the scant money set aside from wages during the working years can mean the difference as a retiree between filling a prescription or buying meat for the week. But some people never miss an opportunity to speak out against programs like social security. Somewhere along the way, we veered off God’s most generous path.

Or take the subject of abortion. Rooted in the dignity of the human person, the Church will always advocate for life. But the Church will never turn it’s back on the person who had an abortion or the person who supports politicians who might support abortion. The Church stands not with a ruler, but outstretched arms ready to welcome, not to punish. No priest or bishop would interrupt someone in the confessional and say, “wait, you voted how? You’re not Catholic! Get out of here!” Yet, some people think they have the authority to excommunicate people and to post messages on social media platforms that those who cast “wrong” ballots can’t call themselves Catholic. Really? Who died and made them pope? Somewhere along the way, we took a wrong turn.

I know all these examples can be difficult to consider, but God reminds us in Isaiah, “…nor like your ways are my ways,” (Isaiah 55:8). Our task as disciples is not to beat people over their heads, but to reach out with God’s love and mercy and generosity. We are called not to spread fear and hatred, but to bring the Good News of Christ into a dark world that desperately needs to hear a message of hope!

Homework! Nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, the bishops of the United States offer us these questions:

  1. Because no one has hired us. Who in my community is ignored or forgotten? How can I take notice of those too easily disregarded?
  2. Are you envious because I am generous? When do I measure myself against others? How can I be more generous with my time and resources?

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. PNG file.

References:
1. Hamm, Dennis, SJ. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2013. Kindle.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.
3. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
4. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Lectio Divina of the Gospels: For the Liturgical Year 2019-2020. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. God’s people: Jews and Gentiles, 62-64, 781
2. God of mercy and piety, 210-211
3. Jesus identifies his compassion to sinners with God’s, 588-589
4. Christian death, 1010-14
5. Life in Christ, 1691-98
6. Justice, 1807
7. Fair wages, 2434

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092020.cfm
Lectionary: 133

Reading 1
Isaiah 55:6-9
Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Responsorial
Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18
R. (18a) The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

Reading 2
Philippians 1:20C-24, 27A
Brothers and sisters:
Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh,
that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh
is more necessary for your benefit.
Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Alleluia
Acts 16:14B
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 20:1-16A
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock,
the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard,
and I will give you what is just.’
So they went off.
And he went out again around noon,
and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o’clock,
the landowner found others standing around, and said to them,
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
‘These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply,
‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?’
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”